The Wyf of Biside Bathe

Experience, though noon auctotitee

Were in this world, is right ynogh for me

To speke of wo that is in mariage.

For, lordynges, sith I twelve yeer was of age,

Thonked be God...

Housbondes at chirche dor I have had fyve,...

And alle were worthy men in hir degree.

But me was toold,... nat longe agoon is,

That sith that Crist ne wente nevere but onis...

That I ne sholde wedded be but ones...

Biside a welle, Jhesus, God and man,

Spak in repreeve of the Samaritan:

"Thou hast yhad fyve housbondes," quod he,

"And that ilke man that now hath thee

Is noght thyn housbonde;" thus seyde he, certeyn...

But that I axe why that the fifthe man

Was noon housbonde to the Samaritan?

How manye myghte she have in mariage?...

God bad us for to wexe aud multiplye.

That gentil text kan I wei understonde.

Eek wel I woot, he seyde myn housbonde

Sholde lete fader and mooder and take to me;

But of no nombre mencion made he,

Of bigamye or of octogamye;

Why sholde men thanne speke of it vileynye?